Yard line marker for football field

ABSTRACT

A yard line marker for placement on the ground surface at the yard lines of a football field, the marker being formed of deformable rubber in the shape of a unitary triangular block having an open rectangular bottom, parallel triangular sidewalls and oppositely inclined end walls; all the walls being of substantially the same thickness and integrally joined together to provide a hollow triangular block that is deformable on impact. Provided on each end face of the hollow triangular block are like numbers formed on the end faces of the block in any desired manner, each number being clearly visible in the direction in which it faces when the marker is positioned on the yard line it is to designate. As designed the marker is symmetrical both along its medial vertical longitudinal and transverse planes and may also include an anchoring unit to which it may be readily attached and separated.

nited States Patent Nawalaniec [54] YARD LINE MARKER FOR FOOTBALL FIELD [72] Inventor: George Nawalaniec, 1733 Walnut Drive,

Woodstock, 11], 60098 [22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 15,359

[451 Jan. 18,1972

Attorney-Carl Miller [57] ABSTRACT A yard line marker for placement on the ground surface at the yard lines of a football field, the marker being formed of deformable rubber in the shape of a unitary triangular block having an open rectangular bottom, parallel triangular sidewalls and oppositely inclined end walls; all the walls being of substantially the same thickness and integrally joined together to provide a hollow triangular block that is deformable on impact. Provided on each end face of the hollow triangular block are like numbers formed on the end faces of the block in any desired manner, each number being clearly visible in the direction in which it faces when the marker is positioned on the yard line it is to designate. As designed the marker is symmetrical both along its medial vertical longitudinal and transverse planes and may also include an anchoring unit to which it may be readily attached and separated.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures YARD LINE MARKER FOR FOOTBALL FIELD This invention relates to football field lO-yard markers and has for its primary object the provision of a deformable hollow-walled marker having front and rear inclined surfaces carrying on each surface thereof the numeral designation of a specific 10-yard line. In a conventional laid out football field which is rectangular in shape, there is an end zone at each end defined by a transverse crossline and it is from this crossline that parallel lines, yards apart, are customarily laid out from opposite longitudinal lines defining the longitudinal boundaries of the field. At each lO-yard line and at each end thereof and normally just outside the longitudinal boundary line the same is marked by its numeral designation in order to facilitate an understanding of the relative positions of the teams. Each succeeding lO-yard line towards the center which is the SO-yard line is similarly marked. It is the purpose of this invention to provide a pair of like-membered hollow-walled deformable markers at the ends of each lO-yard line to designate the same, the markers being numbered to 50.

Another object of this invention is to make the markers hollow with walls that are readily deformable and resilient such that if a player steps or falls thereon the marker will be deformed and/or collapsed so as not to injure the player and which can easily be restored to its original condition wither by its own resiliency or by being lifted off the ground and its walls pushed back into position.

Yet another object of this invention is to form the deformable marker in the shape of a triangular box open at its bottom and of rectangular shape, having parallel vertical longitudinal sidewalls and oppositely inclined front and rear walls all integrally joined together, the outer surfaces of the latter carrying large like numeral indicia clearly readable and visible when viewed from the front and rear.

A still further object of this invention is to incorporate with the longitudinal sidewalls of the marker and interiorly thereof, an anchoring unit that penetrates into the ground and to which the sidewalls are readily attachable and separable.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact,

however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a yard line marker.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the marker.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the marker.

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the marker taken on line 44, FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the marker taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2, and showing in phantom the deformed and/or collapsed shape thereof when struck or crushed by a football player.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a modified form of marker adapted to be detachably attached to an anchoring unit. FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 7-7, FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the yard line marker 10 is seen to be triangular in shape in elevation and rectangular at its bottom. The marker is formed of a flexible and bendable somewhat soft plastic material and if desired may also be formed of rubber that possesses the same characteristics as well as being resilient. In any event the marker l0,is self-sustaining in its original shape and consists of parallel vertical triangular-shaped longitudinal sidewalls, l2, l4 and flat oppositely inclined front and rear walls l6, 18 respectively. All the walls are integrally joined together and are substantially of the same thickness. The upper transverse edge 20 of the marker 10 is preferably rounded and is in the transverse medial vertical plane of the marker. Thus, the marker 10 is seen to be symmetrical both about its transverse and longitudinal medial planes. The edges formed at the juncture of the front and rear walls with the longitudinal side walls are also preferably rounded.

The marker 10, viewing FIG. 4, is seen to be hollow and has an open bottom 22 with the lower edges of all the walls lying in the same horizontal plane such that when the marker is placed on the ground surface in the interior thereof will contain a cushion of air. Should a football player fall on the marker or strike or step on the same in any manner the marker 10 will be deformed by flexure of its walls as seen in FIG. 5 thus obviating any injury to the football player. The marker 10 after impact will normally return to its normal wall position relationship particularly if made of resilient rubber. In some cases it will do so if made of a suitable type of deformable plastic material with a built-in memory of the type now available on the market. In the use of other types of plastic material it may be necessary to raise the marker 10 after impact and push the walls back to their original shape.

Each of the inclined front and rear walls l6, 18 has provided on the exterior surface thereof like numerals in multiples from 10 to 50. The numerals 24 which are purposely made large may be raised, embossed or painted on the surfaces of the walls l6, l8 and so colored with relation to the color of the walls of the marker as to be distinctive and clearly readable and/or visible both to the football players and the spectators. Shown on the marker 10, see FIGS. 1 and 2, by way of example, is the numeral 20 their relationship being such that viewing one or the other of the inclined walls l6, 18 the numeral 20 is clearly visible and easily read. Preferably the marker 10 may have the following dimensions: length 15 inches, width l 1 inches and height 7% inches. Obviously the marker 10 may be made in other sizes if so desired.

For use on a football field, the markers 10 are in pairs with like numbers, there being a pair for each lO-yard line spaced from the end zone to the center 50-yard line of the field. Thus, there is required for placement at each of the longitudinal boundary ends of the lO-yard lines: two pairs of IO-, 20-, 30- and 40-yard markers and one pair of the 50-yard markers.

Figure 6 illustrates a modified marker construction wherein the marker 10a is of the same shape as the triangular marker 10 of FIG. 1. Formed on each of the inside of the triangular longitudinal sidewalls 12a, 16a at the bottom edge thereof and directly below the upper transverse medial edge 20a are a pair of clamping ears 30, 32, see FIG. 7. The pairs of ears 30, 32 are directly opposite each other and are integral with the sidewalls 12a, 14a. The outer terminal ends of ears 30, 32 are rounded as at 34 and are adapted to be movable when forced apart as will be hereinafter explained.

An anchoring unit 36 made of a metal rod is of inverted U- shape providing a pair of ground-penetrating spikes 38, 40, with the bight 42 of the U-shaped anchoring unit having elevated end portions 44, 46 and a central ground-engaging portion 48. As seen in FIG. 6 when the anchoring unit is pushed into the ground adjacent the boundary end of a l0- yard line the depressed bight portion 48 will limit the penetration of spikes 38, 40 into the ground and providing upper end portions of the spikes projecting above the ground surface preferably a distance equal to or slightly in excess of the height of the ears 30, 32. With the anchoring unit positioned on the ground and due to the flexibility of the triangular sidewalls 12a, 14a; wall 12a may be pulled out and then forced toward spike 38 such that the ears 30, 32 of wall 121: will be forced to spread apart to receive therebetween the projecting upper end of spike 38 and to clampingly engage the same, as shown in FIG. 7. In a like manner the opposite wall 14a is secured by its ears 30, 32 to the upwardly projecting end of spike 40, In this manner the marker 10a is anchored in place, cannot be moved by wind or accidentally kicked from its placed position. At the same time this mode of anchoring will in no way defeat the purpose of the marker in its deformation under impact thereon by a football player. The marker 10:: may be detached from the anchoring unit 36 by simply inserting the fingers under the edge of a sidewall and pulling the wall outwardly to disengage the ears from its associated spike.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions are changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

edges of the like triangular sidewalls being greater in length than the width of the inclined front and rear top wall portions,

What I claim is:

. said triangular sidewalls and said front and rear inclined l. A football field yard-indicating marker comprising: 5 top wall portions being substantially of the same a. an open bottom inverted box-shaped structure having; thickness, including:

1. sidewalls, and 0. a groundpenetrating anchoring unit located interiorly of 2, a to ll, said marker, and

b. said top wall including oppositely inclined front and rear P- flexible clamping means Connccwd to each of a P of portions, l opposed interior wall surfaces for detachably securing the c. said sidewalls and top wall being integrally connected 'f h anchqringynil'and wherem:

together q. said anchoring unit is ofinverted U- shapeproviding;

d. like indicia numerals on the upper surfaces of said front ofpafallel g -P netrattng spikes and and rear inclined top portions positioned thereon such as a connectmg, b'ght havmg 'mermed'ale to be clearly visible and readable when viewed from the depressed honzomal Secnon a to ellgage from and rear of Said marker and ground surfacewhereby each ofsaid spikes will have an e. all of said walls forming said marker being formed of a f pomonpxlendmg above ground and defonnable material capable of resuming their original Said flexlble qlampmg. meims detachably engagmg the Shape, whereby upper end portionof said spikes.

said marker when placed with its open bottom on the The markerofclmm wherem:

. a. said anchoring unit extends transversely of the marker giound ericlose a cushlon of and on acbetween the triangular sides thereof and centrally of the cidentally applied thereto by a football player said marker open rectangular bottom, and will be deformed andlor collapsed to absorb the shock of b. Said flexible Clamping means Consisting of; "K and obviate Injury h football player wherem: l. a pair of flexible ears connected to the inside wall surjg-Shaped structufe mallgular m Shapefl face of each triangular wall and in transverse opposed g. said sidewalls extending longitudinally and in vertical relation whereby parallel op pos ed relanonf by manually manipulating the lower end portion of each h. each of said sidewalls being triangular and of like dimenman uiar sidewall, the pair of flaxibl6 ears on each sions, 3O angu ar sidewall may be forcibly moved inwardly into i. said front and rear portions forming the top wall of the clamping engagement with the associated upper end marker being joined respectively to the front and rear portion of a spike and on outward movement be inclined edges of the triangular sidewalls, detached therefrom.

j. the upper adjacent ends of the front and rear inclined top Th m rk r fcl im 2, wh rein:

wall portions being joined to form a horizontal transverse a. each d p of fl le s e me of the s me dg extending f h apexes of h triangmar deformable material as the triangular sidewalls and insidewalls, and tegral therewith,

k. the lower transverse edges of the front and rear inclined the free terminal ends of the individual ears of each P top wall portions lying in the same horizontal plane of the being enlarged and rounded, and bases f i triangular sidewalls c. the ears of each pair being so formed and spaced apart as l. said lower transverse edges and the bases of said trianguto Spread @P to @ceive thcrebetwee" the associated lar sidewalls defining the bottom opening of said marker upper P 9 of a i and towards each other and having direct contact with the ground surface, to clampmgly engage Splke when wholly Seated wherein; therebetween.

in. said open bottom is rectangular in shape with the base 

1. A football field yard-indicating marker comprising: a. an open bottom inverted box-shaped structure having;
 1. sidewalls, and
 2. a top wall, b. said top wall including oppositely inclined front and rear portions, c. said sidewalls and top wall being integrally connected together, d. like indicia numerals on the upper surfaces of said front and rear inclined top portions positioned thereon such as to be clearly visible and readable when viewed from the front and rear of said marker, and e. all of said walls forming said marker being formed of a deformable material capable of resuming their original shape, whereby said marker when placed with its open bottom on the ground will enclose a cushion of air and on impact accidentally applied thereto by a football player said marker will be deformed and/or collapsed to absorb the shock of impact and obviate injury to the football player, wherein: f. said box-shaped structure is triangular in shape, g. said sidewalls extending longitudinally and in vertical parallel opposed relation, h. each of said sidewalls being triangular and of like dimensions, i. said front and rear portions forming the top wall of the marker being joined respectively to the front and rear inclined edges of the triangular sidewalls, j. the upper adjacEnt ends of the front and rear inclined top wall portions being joined to form a horizontal transverse edge extending from the apexes of the triangular sidewalls, and k. the lower transverse edges of the front and rear inclined top wall portions lying in the same horizontal plane of the bases of said triangular sidewalls, l. said lower transverse edges and the bases of said triangular sidewalls defining the bottom opening of said marker and having direct contact with the ground surface, wherein: m. said open bottom is rectangular in shape with the base edges of the like triangular sidewalls being greater in length than the width of the inclined front and rear top wall portions, n. said triangular sidewalls and said front and rear inclined top wall portions being substantially of the same thickness, including: o. a ground-penetrating anchoring unit located interiorly of said marker, and p. flexible clamping means connected to each of a pair of opposed interior wall surfaces for detachably securing the marker to the anchoring unit, and wherein: q. said anchoring unit is of inverted U-shape providing;
 1. a pair of parallel ground-penetrating spikes, and
 2. a connecting bight portion having an intermediate depressed horizontal section adapted to engage the ground surface whereby each of said spikes will have an upper end portion extending above ground level, and r. said flexible clamping means detachably engaging the upper end portion of said spikes.
 2. a top wall, b. said top wall including oppositely inclined front and rear portions, c. said sidewalls and top wall being integrally connected together, d. like indicia numerals on the upper surfaces of said front and rear inclined top portions positioned thereon such as to be clearly visible and readable when viewed from the front and rear of said marker, and e. all of said walls forming said marker being formed of a deformable material capable of resuming their original shape, whereby said marker when placed with its open bottom on the ground will enclose a cushion of air and on impact accidentally applied thereto by a football player said marker will be deformed and/or collapsed to absorb the shock of impact and obviate injury to the football player, wherein: f. said box-shaped structure is triangular in shape, g. said sidewalls extending longitudinally and in vertical parallel opposed relation, h. each of said sidewalls being triangular and of like dimensions, i. said front and rear portions forming the top wall of the marker being joined respectively to the front and rear inclined edges of the triangular sidewalls, j. the upper adjacEnt ends of the front and rear inclined top wall portions being joined to form a horizontal transverse edge extending from the apexes of the triangular sidewalls, and k. the lower transverse edges of the front and rear inclined top wall portions lying in the same horizontal plane of the bases of said triangular sidewalls, l. said lower transverse edges and the bases of said triangular sidewalls defining the bottom opening of said marker and having direct contact with the ground surface, wherein: m. said open bottom is rectangular in shape with the base edges of the like triangular sidewalls being greater in length than the width of the inclined front and rear top wall portions, n. said triangular sidewalls and said front and rear inclined top wall portions being substantially of the same thickness, including: o. a ground-penetrating anchoring unit located interiorly of said marker, and p. flexible clamping means connected to each of a pair of opposed interior wall surfaces for detachably securing the marker to the anchoring unit, and wherein: q. said anchoring unit is of inverted U-shape providing;
 2. a connecting bight portion having an intermediate depressed horizontal section adapted to engage the ground surface whereby each of said spikes will have an upper end portion extending above ground level, and r. said flexible clamping means detachably engaging the upper end portion of said spikes.
 2. The marker of claim 1, wherein: a. said anchoring unit extends transversely of the marker between the triangular sides thereof and centrally of the open rectangular bottom, and b. said flexible clamping means consisting of;
 3. The marker of claim 2, wherein: a. each said pair of flexible ears are formed of the same deformable material as the triangular sidewalls and integral therewith, b. the free terminal ends of the individual ears of each pair being enlarged and rounded, and c. the ears of each pair being so formed and spaced apart as to spread apart to receive therebetween the associated upper portion of a spike and to move towards each other to clampingly engage the spike when wholly seated therebetween. 